Malverne Fire Chief James Lang says they monitored for any lethal toxins down below and kept the man talking during his rescue. After about 20 minutes, they say the man was able to get out using a ladder that was sent down to his location.

The muck-covered man was hosed off and a medical team checked his vital signs.

It's not clear how the 41-year-old man ended up in the drain or how long he was down there.

Police say he is not cooperating with the investigation. His name has not been released.